Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence and associated risk factors--A study from rural sector of Maharashtra

Abstract

Background and aim: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver diseases and hardly any studies have been reported about its prevalence from rural India. This study aims at assessing the prevalence of NAFLD rural sector from Maharashtra (India) and study the risk factors associated with the disease.

Methods: The study was conducted on 410 individuals from villages in the vicinity of Nanded town attending a tertiary care hospital; out of which 302 individuals were considered for analysis. Detailed history, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, laboratory investigations were done. Diagnosis of NAFLD was based on ultrasonographic findings.

Results: Prevalence of NAFLD was found be 28.1%. Mean BMI in NAFLD patients (25.38 ± 6.58 kg/m2) was significantly higher (p = 0.002) than that of normal group (22.85 ± 4.70 kg/m2). Metabolic syndrome and diabetes showed a significant association with NAFLD (p < 0.0001). The biochemical investigations of fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDL) showed significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion: Prevalence of NAFLD was found be 28.1%. Study confirms that the increased BMI, metabolic syndrome, increased fasting blood glucose and serum triglycerides are potentially strong indicators of NAFLD.